Indiana State University alumni are well represented again this year in the "12 Under 40," with Sycamores making up more than half of the class.
Presented by the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and Tribune-Star, "12 Under 40" recognizes young professionals who are making great contributions to the community.
Sycamores honored this year include Kailee Burdick, '10, GR '13; Jeffery Clutter, GR '14; Brandon Henman '11, GR '15; Kiel Majewski, '06; Brittany Michaels, '08, GR '12; Rondrell Moore, '08; Courtney Richey, GR '10.
The deserving dozen will be recognized at a breakfast on Nov. 1 in the Sycamore Banquet Center at Indiana State.
"These honorees are leaders in the community and in their professions," said Rex Kendall, executive director of the Indiana State University Alumni Association. "They have made a positive impact in Terre Haute by dedicating their time and energy to volunteerism. We couldn't be prouder to call seven of the 12 recipients alumni of Indiana State University."
After earning her Ph.D. at IU, Burdick returned to teach at State's School of Nursing while maintaining to practice clinically at Union Hospital.
"We are lucky to have so many young professionals in our community doing wonderful work, and so to be honored among these individuals is certainly a privilege," Burdick said. "I have worked with so many wonderful individuals both at ISU and Union Hospital that have inspired and motivated me and made me see the importance of investing in our community. Being a native of Terre Haute, this is very meaningful as we are so fortunate to live a wonderful community that is doing great things."
Clutter works for the Vigo County School Corporation as the assistant career and technical education director, where he oversees the Adult Education Program. He also teaches as an adjunct faculty member in State's College of Technology.
Clutter is also enrolled in the new Woodrow Wilson MBA in Education Leadership at State and serves as president of the Indiana Association for Adult and Continuing Education, which is the professional organization for teachers and administrators that work in adult education throughout Indiana.
"Receiving this honor is very humbling, and I am very excited to receive it. It is great to be recognized for my work, but I am equally excited to share this honor with those that I work with," Clutter said. "I would not be where I am today without all the great leaders and mentors that I work with everyday in the Vigo County School Corporation, Indiana State University and throughout the community. I also have to give a shout out to my wife and kids for supporting me, keeping me grounded and putting up with the long hours at times."
Henman is a vice president at Terre Haute Savings Bank, where he works as a mortgage loan officer. He serves on the boards of the nonprofits organizations Terre Haute Area Meals on Wheels and TREES Inc.
"As I am probably my own worst critic, it is extremely humbling to be selected for this award along with the 11 others who do so much for our community," Henman said. "It also feels great to be selected from the banking sector, with all of the bad press that the banking system seems to get from the media when they refer to ‘the banks.' I hope this will allow the community to see the difference between the trillion-dollar Wall Street bank and your local community bank such as Terre Haute Savings Bank."
As community connections coordinator at Vigo County Public Library, Michaels has worked across several areas including programming, outreach, community engagement, local history and genealogy, lifelong learning and grant writing.
"It is a tremendous honor to receive this award, and I'm very thankful to have a wonderfully supportive team at the library and great partners to work with in the community," Michaels said.
Moore has worked as a reporter and producer at Terre Haute's WTHI-TV, where is current role is anchor.
"I am extremely humbled and honored to be recognized by my community. It means a lot that they celebrate people of all ages and support them in their endeavors," Moore said. "In short, nothing I've been blessed to accomplish in my professional life would be possible without Indiana State University. I was able to learn so much while attending, and I'm glad to be able to apply that knowledge in the same community."
Richey works as regional director of the Small Business Development Center at Indiana State -- the "perfect career move for me as it is a perfect combination to satisfy my love for business with my philanthropic spirit," she said.
Richey also serves on the board of directors of Junior Achievement, United Childcare, FSA Counseling Center and Young Leaders. In 2015, Richey was named Young Leader of the Year.
She coaches the cheerleading team of her daughter, Vanessa, 6, which cheers on the Vigo County youth football program that her son, Orlando, 9, plays.
"For a town the size of Terre Haute, I think the number of nonprofit organizations and activities we have to make our community great are mind blowing," Richey said. "These organizations are mostly ran by volunteers and individuals giving their time, talent and treasure. To me, this is your civic duty as a citizen and business professional. If we want to have a great community, we all have to do our part. I'm just doing my part, much like many of my peers, but it does feel good to know that what you are doing is making enough of a difference to be recognized."
Majewski earned a history degree at Indiana State and is executive director of the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute.
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Photos:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Media-Services/Submitted-Photos/Staff-Uploads/i-vMtNFBt/0/O/Profheadshot.jpg -- Kailee Burdick, '10, GR '14
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Media-Services/Submitted-Photos/Staff-Uploads/i-HZJjCrN/0/O/Jeff%201.jpg -- Jeffery Clutter, GR '14
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Media-Services/Media-People/Hinman-Terre-Haute-Savings/n-QpqLVs/i-PDP9hLz/0/X3/i-PDP9hLz-X3.jpg -- Brandon Henman '11, GR '15
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Media-Services/Submitted-Photos/Staff-Uploads/i-2TLFC4q/0/2412x3618/Headshots_6-2412x3618.jpg -- Brittany Michaels, '08, GR '12
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Media-Services/Submitted-Photos/Staff-Uploads/i-8TtGQSj/0/O/image.jpg -- Rondrell Moore, '08
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/IP-Portraits-folder-2/Courtney-Richey/i-dBJSTLM/0/X2/March%2030%2C%202015%20Courtney%20Richey%209169-X2.jpg -- Courtney Richey, GR '11
Writer: Libby Roerig, director of communications, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3790 or libby.roerig@indstate.edu